Anti-bush fire day commemorated in Bwiam

West
Coast Region Forestry Office last Friday commemorated Anti-bushfire day at
Bwiam Dobong in the region’s Foni Kansala district.

The
event was attended by local authorities, stakeholders and partners in the
natural resources sub-sector, Kanilia fire and rescue service officials station
and the police.

Kansala
district Chief Biran Camara said bush fires are a cause for concern in the
country. He said he has how initiated stringent measures by prosecuting anyone
found guilty of illegal logging and indiscriminate bushfires and charcoal
production.

Chief
Camara promised to fund similar sensitisations of Village Development
Committees (VDC) and alkalolu to prevent the destruction of the forest cover
from bushfire.

The
region’s forestry officer Ousainou Cham said the activity is part of his
department’s policy objectives to improve and sustain Gambia’s forest cover and
to reserve the current environmental and ecological situation.

According
to him, causes of forest fires are socially related, saying the event will
contribute in raising peoples’ awareness on the negative effects of bushfires.
He said it will also enhance livestock, agricultural production.

The
regional forestry technical unit head Kebba Jammeh said, “Bushfire remains the
most serious threat to Gambia’s forest cover, contribution to high rate of
environmental degradation and biodiversity losses.”

He
said 95% of Gambia’s human and animal population depend on it the forest,
saying over 151, 000 of the country’s forest cover was onetime burnt nationwide,
posing serious threat to cattle and small ruminants to find grassing areas.

Governor
of the region Bakary Sanyang emphasised the need for local authorities to
conduct regular sensitisations on the dangers of bushfires to mitigate the
effects of climate change. He said that will help to improve livelihood of the
region’s local population.

The
regional environment inspector Luntang Conateh recommended that the
sensitisation should be intensified to other parts of the country. “Bushfires
causes serious negative impact on climate, agriculture and on livestock.
Special fund should be allocated for bushfires campaign.”